Press release: Clovis customers asked to limit water use

June 17, 2011

New Mexico American Water is renewing its call for water conservation by urging all of its Clovis customers to continue to limit their outdoor water use during the current hot spell.

“We are asking customers to reduce outdoor water usage to ensure our ability to meet demand,” said Daniel Bailet, New Mexico American Water’s vice president and general manager of operations. “Water use doubles in Clovis during hot spells, sometimes overtaxing our production capability.”

So far in June, New Mexico American Water has seen higher total daily consumption, averaging 9.95 million gallons per day, than anytime in the last six years. For example, in June 2007,the average daily demand was just 6.2 million gallons per day.

In June 2008, which had the next highest daily demand in the last six years, demand averaged 9.5 million gallons per day. On June 15 and 16, daily demand was at 10.8 million gallons.

Since 2003, the static water levels in New Mexico American Water’s wells in the Ogallala Aquifer have declined an average of three feet per well every year. Annual well production rates are decreasing, on average, 16 gallons per minute per well, which amounts to a 10-percent decrease in annual output.

The Company is continuing to add to its production capability as its pumping capacity declines, and is also planning a water leasing program from area water rights owners to supplement its own production.

New Mexico American Water is also contacting large users to request reductions in consumption during the current heat wave to ensure a reliable supply of water for Clovis.

Some simple suggestions to conserve water include:

Follow the 3 day per week irrigation schedule – odd numbered addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and even numbered addresses water Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Water before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. to prevent water evaporation.

Limit watering to 15 minutes outdoors each day per station.

Use a weather based controller to prevent overwatering during wet weather.

Use a hose nozzle with a shut off valve while washing your vehicles.

Turn off decorative water features unless they re-circulate water.

Repair your leaks immediately. This could save you hundreds of gallons of wasted water a month.

Don’t allow water to runoff onto sidewalks, driveways or gutters. Use a broom instead of a hose to wash down paved surfaces.

New Mexico American Water offers rebates on water-saving appliances and landscaping, leak detection kits for toilets and other conservation tools and ideas.

New Mexico American Water customers can sign-up for these services by stopping by its local office located at 1005 Norris Street, Clovis, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by calling (575) 763-5538.

New Mexico American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and related services to approximately 60,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company.

With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting http://www.amwater.com/.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a year-long campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.